New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-01
THE TYRANNY OF FASHION,

| The extent to which fashion controls the
existence Of large proportion of tho modern
world IS not less interesting than curious.
Mr.. Tyler, tho learned author Of primitive
Culture" has brought together a mass OF facts
illustrating the influence Of convention upon
the savage mind. or what passes for it. But
he appears to think that the race has outgrown
such weakness. whereas all the evidence to DO
had points to quite another conclusion. AS
rule, we pay little attention to the tyranny
OF fashion. 1t Is when it DEGREES the general
adoption Of some habilmcnt or practice which
is particularly ugly or deforming or opposed to
hygienic laws that it becomes a subject Of dis
cussion. The fashions of women change often
or than those Of men. and are apt to be more
startling. 1t cannot be said that they are
much moro defiant of all the principles OF art
and common sense. however The women
may go far before they exceed in prcpostcrous-
ness the male headgear which is vulgarly known
rs the "stove-pipe" hat while the masculine
garb OF festivity. called evening dress. is grace
less enough to warrant an anthropoid ape in
disowning his posterity. Yet lovely woman.
it must be admitted. sometimes contrivcs TO
cause more disturbance and trouble by her
changes Of fashion than it is given to the
serner sex TO do.
The present tall hats are in point. and as
tho spring and summer styles are evidently
intended to carry the height of these amazing
structures far beyond any elevation yet inflicted
upon an anguishcd theatre audience during tho
winter. the prospect IS anything but cheering.
Considering the natural courtesy and self
sacrificing tendencies Of women, the injuries
this new fashion causes them to inilict upon
their innocent and helpless neighbors must be
regarded as O striking proof of the weight OF
the tyranny under which they suffer. For
that is clearly an overmastering influence
which causes women to 60 contrary to all their
habits and predictions. to make Of themselves
offensive nuisances in public places, and TO
forget every dictate Of the commonest polite
ness and consideration for others. That they
should be made by fashion quite Indifferent to
the ridiculous aspects in which they often pre-
sent themselves while obeying its despotic DO.
hests, is perhaps not wonderful, seeing that
they keep one another in countenance Tho
profound gravity with which women
parade the most astounding dcformties. the
most abomnablo uglineses Of FORM color and
is indeed calculated to delight |
tho philosopher, though it may aggravate and |
give point to the sarcasm Of the cynic 1t is |
also open to question. from an chronological and |
evolutionary point of view. whether the sur.
vival in so robust and vigorous form OF those
primitive foibles which characterized the first |
pmergcnce Of orr ancestors from the bar
barous condition. does not run counter to
The aattcring self -cstimate of our progress in
civilization with which we are won't to solacc
ourselves. At bottom. in fact, the difference
between tho dwellers on the Hudson. the
Thames. the Seine and the Congo perhaps re-
mains less than we like to admit